Transitioning Out of Contract Attorney Position Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anon and keeping this vague for obvious reasons. Last year I finished a SSC clerkship and had a fair amount of trouble finding a new job. I wasn't interested in returning to the firm I worked at for a few years before clerking, and ended up taking a contract attorney position at a solid regional firm. Unfortunately, the practice group I'm in does not interest me. I get to do some of what I enjoy (and that portion of my job is really great), but it's not where I want to be long term. This was the sense I had going into the job, but my options were not looking great at the time, so I took it anyways. This position does have the potential to become permanent, and I think my chances of getting that offer when the contract is up are decent (but not necessarily guaranteed). I've been with the firm for less than a year now.

At this point, I'm looking into sending applications to other firms primarily for two reasons: (1) I want to join a practice that interests me (there are plenty of them in my area so finding one is not an issue), and (2) I would like to have some security in case my contract position simply ends and I don't get brought on as a partner-track associate. A third potential benefit is I could use another offer as leverage to transfer to a practice group I'm more interested in within my current firm. I'm hesitant to make that proposal without a fulltime offer from my current firm or another firm in hand, because I'm worried that request would show my lack of interest in my current practice group and result in losing a potential offer to join the firm as an associate (especially if transferring to another group within the firm isn't feasible at the time).

I'm looking to get some general thoughts on the above and advice on how to proceed. I know the short period of time I've spent at my current firm will raise eyebrows. I think explaining that I'm a contract attorney helps with that issue, but highlights the fact that I don't have an associate position. Any help would be much appreciated. Stats, for what it's worth: T-50, top half, SSC.

[Anonymous User]

Anon and keeping this vague for obvious reasons. Last year I finished a SSC clerkship and had a fair amount of trouble finding a new job. I wasn't interested in returning to the firm I worked at for a few years before clerking, and ended up taking a contract attorney position at a solid regional firm. Unfortunately, the practice group I'm in does not interest me. I get to do some of what I enjoy (and that portion of my job is really great), but it's not where I want to be long term. This was the sense I had going into the job, but my options were not looking great at the time, so I took it anyways. This position does have the potential to become permanent, and I think my chances of getting that offer when the contract is up are decent (but not necessarily guaranteed). I've been with the firm for less than a year now.

At this point, I'm looking into sending applications to other firms primarily for two reasons: (1) I want to join a practice that interests me (there are plenty of them in my area so finding one is not an issue), and (2) I would like to have some security in case my contract position simply ends and I don't get brought on as a partner-track associate. A third potential benefit is I could use another offer as leverage to transfer to a practice group I'm more interested in within my current firm. I'm hesitant to make that proposal without a fulltime offer from my current firm or another firm in hand, because I'm worried that request would show my lack of interest in my current practice group and result in losing a potential offer to join the firm as an associate (especially if transferring to another group within the firm isn't feasible at the time).

I'm looking to get some general thoughts on the above and advice on how to proceed. I know the short period of time I've spent at my current firm will raise eyebrows. I think explaining that I'm a contract attorney helps with that issue, but highlights the fact that I don't have an associate position. Any help would be much appreciated. Stats, for what it's worth: T-50, top half, SSC.

Would you be willing to do another clerkship? A fed clerkship would likely really help out your job prospects (you were vague but I assume you are doing Lit). It might be a bit late in the game, but some judges are still looking and then it will give you another full year to job hunt with a better resume. Just my two cents.

[Anonymous User]

I certainly wouldn't be opposed to a federal clerkship - in fact I would probably enjoy it very much. I loved my SSC clerkship. I'm not in a position to move, so I am geographically constrained, and hence I can't play the numbers game with applications. The area I'm in is a competitive one, regardless, that would something I could keep an eye out for. I would need to figure out new letters of recommendation, but that's not a complete bar by any means. I like the idea, but realistically, a new firm with my current resume will likely be the best route.